Tolerance is a mellow word for what is really expected of us from the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 exhorts us to have charity, that without charity, we can do all good deeds and it would still not profit us. It explains exactly what it means to have charity.
It says that charity suffereth long and is kind. Now if we put this into context of our daily lives it will basically mean, having patience above patience. To basically close your eyes to the mistakes of others and treat them with kindness, even in the most juvenile situations.
It further explains that charity envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. From my understanding of this is that, what society is doing should not influence our behaviour and desires. These days it is so easy to envy the 'easy' life others live, the houses they live in, the cars they drive, the quarterly vacations to exotic places they go to. It is so easy to want those things and when we have it, to become superior to those that don't have it. Sometimes we would go into debt to have what others has. We would dislike and gossip about those that have more than we do, to try and demean them, due to jealousy and envy. If you sit and ponder about what envy does to the world you can understand why it is a commandment not to envy others.
Charity 'doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil'. Well, if this does not speak for itself. I think what this is trying to say to us is that we should behave ourselves like gentlemen and ladies, to put the feelings of others before your own, to make other people more comfortable around you and to treat them with respect. When others anger us, to not get angry. When others offend us, to not take offense. When others raise their voices to us, to speak softly and kindly. To turn the other cheek when someone smacks us in the face. This is expected of us. And when people do these things to us, not to think evil of them, not to think of evil things in any way at all.
'Charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things'.We must bare all the difficulties that come our way and except them as a way to make us stronger and to become more charitable. We must believe all things that come from God, since He gives us strength and inspire us. We must have hope that things will get better, it goes hand in hand with faith. We must hope for things we can't see, this is what faith is. And then last but not least. We must endure all things. When we lose everything that is dear to us, when we struggle throughout this life, we must endure it and not lose our faith, hope and trust in God. It is only when we endure to the end that we will receive exaltation. Almost like a long distance runner. It would not help him if he starts off in front of everyone else and in the middle of the race, give up. He will not win. So we will not win the race of life if we give up in the middle of it.
Just to quote the importance of charity. 'And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity'(1 Corinthians 13:13).
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Blessing Of Children
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are encouraged to have children as soon as possible after marriage. We are also encouraged to have as many children as we can, because it is a commandment given of God to multiply and replenish the earth.
Being the oldest of six siblings, I feared having children of my own, what is to say many of them. I just saw a life of frustration and exhaustion through the eyes of my parents and felt that having children would only bring hard work and more responsibility that I don not need.
I wanted to enjoy my life for as long as I could. I wanted to have my husband to myself and do things that couples with children find difficulty doing.
Oh, how my life changed and the way I see things now.
I was suprisingly blessed with a little baby girl. Throughout my pregnancy I prayed so hard that I would receive a healthy baby that would be good and would bless my life. I prayed that I would be a good mother to her and that I would be able to give her the best things in life.
All of a sudden, I saw this little baby growing inside of me as a gift of God. Someone who came from heaven to live with me. I could not let a beautiful, clean, pure, perfect, innocent little girl come into a house and sleep in a room that is not crisp, clean and rid of any harmful bactaria. So I made sure that everything was spotless before I gave birth to her.
I wanted her to only see beautiful things and tried to make her room as beautiful as I could possibly make it. I wanted her to look like a little angel and made sure to buy her beautiful little clothes.
My life was filled with excitement as I awaited her birth. Even though I was afraid of the pain I would have to endure and did not like the deterioration of my body, those things were minor in relation to the excitement I felt.
After her birth, I could not keep my eyes off of her. I was amazed at everything about her, the way she drank, pouched her lips, the way she held my hand even the way she cried. I could not believe how soft her skin was and how good it felt holding her in my arms. My whole life revolved around her.
The greatest part of all, is seeing the development that takes place in a little baby. How quickly they pick up little things that you or your husband does and start to mimic that. Those little things make us laugh everyday and make us happy. Things that seemed to be so much work when I was younger, all of a sudden is a pleasure to do now, like making bottles or changing nappies.
The best part is them expressing their love towards you. Folding their little arms around your neck, hugging and kissing you. The rubbing of their little fingers through your hair or their little hand touching your face to get your attention. Those are precious moments I would not exchange for anything in the world.
I am so grateful that God blessed me with a beautiful child. I am so grateful that I could see how prescious it is to have children. Now that I have one of my own, I know that they are not as much work as I thought. Maybe they are, maybe God just makes me capable of handeling it, because I believe He blesses those that keep His commandments. I also know that if you think you are not financially ready, you should not worry about it, because God always seems to bless those with children.
He has a special love for children and loves those who love children.
Being the oldest of six siblings, I feared having children of my own, what is to say many of them. I just saw a life of frustration and exhaustion through the eyes of my parents and felt that having children would only bring hard work and more responsibility that I don not need.
I wanted to enjoy my life for as long as I could. I wanted to have my husband to myself and do things that couples with children find difficulty doing.
Oh, how my life changed and the way I see things now.
I was suprisingly blessed with a little baby girl. Throughout my pregnancy I prayed so hard that I would receive a healthy baby that would be good and would bless my life. I prayed that I would be a good mother to her and that I would be able to give her the best things in life.
All of a sudden, I saw this little baby growing inside of me as a gift of God. Someone who came from heaven to live with me. I could not let a beautiful, clean, pure, perfect, innocent little girl come into a house and sleep in a room that is not crisp, clean and rid of any harmful bactaria. So I made sure that everything was spotless before I gave birth to her.
I wanted her to only see beautiful things and tried to make her room as beautiful as I could possibly make it. I wanted her to look like a little angel and made sure to buy her beautiful little clothes.
My life was filled with excitement as I awaited her birth. Even though I was afraid of the pain I would have to endure and did not like the deterioration of my body, those things were minor in relation to the excitement I felt.
After her birth, I could not keep my eyes off of her. I was amazed at everything about her, the way she drank, pouched her lips, the way she held my hand even the way she cried. I could not believe how soft her skin was and how good it felt holding her in my arms. My whole life revolved around her.
The greatest part of all, is seeing the development that takes place in a little baby. How quickly they pick up little things that you or your husband does and start to mimic that. Those little things make us laugh everyday and make us happy. Things that seemed to be so much work when I was younger, all of a sudden is a pleasure to do now, like making bottles or changing nappies.
The best part is them expressing their love towards you. Folding their little arms around your neck, hugging and kissing you. The rubbing of their little fingers through your hair or their little hand touching your face to get your attention. Those are precious moments I would not exchange for anything in the world.
I am so grateful that God blessed me with a beautiful child. I am so grateful that I could see how prescious it is to have children. Now that I have one of my own, I know that they are not as much work as I thought. Maybe they are, maybe God just makes me capable of handeling it, because I believe He blesses those that keep His commandments. I also know that if you think you are not financially ready, you should not worry about it, because God always seems to bless those with children.
He has a special love for children and loves those who love children.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Choosing a gift to match a man's personality type
by Sarah Perryman
If you want to purchase a great gift for someone you care about it is important to identify what type of personality they have. There is one simple way to do this. By using Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence it is easy to define what type of personality the recipient has and locate a gift that is appropriate.
Here are Gardner's seven areas. Simply select what are fits!
1) Body/Kinesthetic: These people like to move. They learn and experience the world through hands-on activity. They will like to show how something is done, not tell yoou. This type of personality may be into sports or dance, like putting things together such as cars, or are nature lovers always on the go. You will want to purchase things that allow for movement and exploration.
2) Intrapersonal: These people are quieter and more thoughtful. They enjoy quiet moments and activities where they can learn something on their own. They enjoy self-teaching and will be very good at filling their won needs. Though this may make them harder to buy for, you should try to purchase books, educational software, subscriptions to hobby related magazines, ect. These people like to learn, learn, and learn.
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3) Interpersonal: These are the opposite of Intrapersonal. The people who fall under this category like to socialize. They enjoy getting together with family and friends, are always there for a good talk and a good time. They are people-smart and like to show it. Aim for gifts that allow them to have a gathering of friends. Try items that will let them have a group over for dinner such as BBQ supplies, a mini-bar, ect. How about a good old surprise party?
4) Linguistic: These are individuals who are comfortable in the world. They enjoy learning languages, new words, and writing. They will be the people to keep records on family history, write journals, and try their hand at creative or technical writing. Look for things that support this. If they enjoy writing get them a special book and pen set, desk set, and some nice stationary.
5) Logical/Mathematical: Number-smarts and logical thinking make these people harder to buy for. They like to see the connection between things and they enjoy exact sciences and number manipulation. You may want to look for things that will challenge them. Logic puzzles, computer puzzle games, and good old paper puzzles are great. They don't all have to be as serious as they sound.
6) Musical: That says it all. These people see the world in rhythm and musical patterns. They may also enjoy poetry because of its musical qualities. Gear you gifts toward things that support this. If you don't want to buy them music or poetry, look for things that flow or pulse like candles or unique room lamps.
7) Visual/Spatial: This type of person will be the first to recognize the layout of a room, the pleasing colors of furniture and artwork. They will also be the people who live in the house where each room has a theme and a variety of different arrangements. These people are excited by shape and texture. Try to identify their style and locate a poster, print, or painting that will match. You can also buy interestingly shaped dishes, jars, or lighting. If they like to create their own art, try to find something to support this.
If you want to purchase a great gift for someone you care about it is important to identify what type of personality they have. There is one simple way to do this. By using Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence it is easy to define what type of personality the recipient has and locate a gift that is appropriate.
Here are Gardner's seven areas. Simply select what are fits!
1) Body/Kinesthetic: These people like to move. They learn and experience the world through hands-on activity. They will like to show how something is done, not tell yoou. This type of personality may be into sports or dance, like putting things together such as cars, or are nature lovers always on the go. You will want to purchase things that allow for movement and exploration.
2) Intrapersonal: These people are quieter and more thoughtful. They enjoy quiet moments and activities where they can learn something on their own. They enjoy self-teaching and will be very good at filling their won needs. Though this may make them harder to buy for, you should try to purchase books, educational software, subscriptions to hobby related magazines, ect. These people like to learn, learn, and learn.
adparams.getadspec('c_billboard1');
3) Interpersonal: These are the opposite of Intrapersonal. The people who fall under this category like to socialize. They enjoy getting together with family and friends, are always there for a good talk and a good time. They are people-smart and like to show it. Aim for gifts that allow them to have a gathering of friends. Try items that will let them have a group over for dinner such as BBQ supplies, a mini-bar, ect. How about a good old surprise party?
4) Linguistic: These are individuals who are comfortable in the world. They enjoy learning languages, new words, and writing. They will be the people to keep records on family history, write journals, and try their hand at creative or technical writing. Look for things that support this. If they enjoy writing get them a special book and pen set, desk set, and some nice stationary.
5) Logical/Mathematical: Number-smarts and logical thinking make these people harder to buy for. They like to see the connection between things and they enjoy exact sciences and number manipulation. You may want to look for things that will challenge them. Logic puzzles, computer puzzle games, and good old paper puzzles are great. They don't all have to be as serious as they sound.
6) Musical: That says it all. These people see the world in rhythm and musical patterns. They may also enjoy poetry because of its musical qualities. Gear you gifts toward things that support this. If you don't want to buy them music or poetry, look for things that flow or pulse like candles or unique room lamps.
7) Visual/Spatial: This type of person will be the first to recognize the layout of a room, the pleasing colors of furniture and artwork. They will also be the people who live in the house where each room has a theme and a variety of different arrangements. These people are excited by shape and texture. Try to identify their style and locate a poster, print, or painting that will match. You can also buy interestingly shaped dishes, jars, or lighting. If they like to create their own art, try to find something to support this.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
A Cure For Abuse
I have come accross some serious discussions about abuse and why our church does not speak out more concerning this terrible act. I have decided to include articles written by authority from the church to show those who either question our beliefs, that it is completely against what the Gospel teaches and for those who has been a victim of such terrible crimes, that their is still a cure for your pain.
What is Latter-day Saint policy concerning spouse or child abuse?
Latter-day Saints maintain that individuals who abuse their spouses, their children, or any other person violate the laws of both God and society. Abuse includes any behavior that deliberately threatens or injures another person. It may be physical, emotional, or sexual. Sexual abuse of another adult usually involves force or intimidation, while sexual abuse of a child includes any sexual behavior between the child and someone in a position of power, trust, or control. Church leaders have counseled that even subtle forms of abuse are evil, among them shouting at or demeaning family members and demanding offensive intimate relations from one's spouse. Church members guilty of abusing others are to seek counsel from their bishops and, where necessary, professional help. Church leaders may institute disciplinary procedures to help abusers repent and to protect innocent victims. All forms of abusive behavior are serious sins in direct opposition to the spirit of love and sacrifice exemplified in the life of the Savior Jesus Christ. abstracted from "Abuse, Spouse and Child," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, 4 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 1:11.
The abstracts on this site have been prepared by BYU Studies staff and interns.
Richard G. Scott, “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, 31
I speak from the depths of my heart to each one of you who have been scarred by the ugly sin of abuse, whether you are a member or nonmember of the Church. I would prefer a private setting to discuss this sensitive subject and ask that the Holy Spirit help us both that you may receive the relief of the Lord from the cruelty that has scarred your life.
Unless healed by the Lord, mental, physical, or sexual abuse can cause you serious, enduring consequences. As a victim you have experienced some of them. They include fear, depression, guilt, self-hatred, destruction of self-esteem, and alienation from normal human relationships. When aggravated by continued abuse, powerful emotions of rebellion, anger, and hatred are generated. These feelings often are focused against oneself, others, life itself, and even Heavenly Father. Frustrated efforts to fight back can degenerate into drug abuse, immorality, abandonment of home, and, tragically in extreme cases, suicide. Unless corrected, these feelings lead to despondent lives, discordant marriages, and even the transition from victim to abuser. One awful result is a deepening lack of trust in others which becomes a barrier to healing.
To be helped, you must understand some things about eternal law. Your abuse results from another’s unrighteous attack on your freedom. Since all of Father in Heaven’s children enjoy agency, there can be some who choose willfully to violate the commandments and harm you. Such acts temporarily restrict your freedom. In justice, and to compensate, the Lord has provided a way for you to overcome the destructive results of others’ acts against your will. That relief comes by applying eternal truths with priesthood assistance.
Know that the wicked choice of others cannot completely destroy your agency unless you permit it. Their acts may cause pain, anguish, even physical harm, but they cannot destroy your eternal possibilities in this brief but crucial life on earth. You must understand that you are free to determine to overcome the harmful results of abuse. Your attitude can control the change for good in your life. It allows you to have the help the Lord intends you to receive. No one can take away your ultimate opportunities when you understand and live eternal law. The laws of your Heavenly Father and the atonement of the Lord have made it possible that you will not be robbed of the opportunities which come to the children of God.
You may feel threatened by one who is in a position of power or control over you. You may feel trapped and see no escape. Please believe that your Heavenly Father does not want you to be held captive by unrighteous influence, by threats of reprisal, or by fear of repercussion to the family member who abuses you. Trust that the Lord will lead you to a solution. Ask in faith, nothing doubting. (See James 1:6; Enos 1:15; Moro. 7:26; D&C 8:10; D&C 18:18.)
I solemnly testify that when another’s acts of violence, perversion, or incest hurt you terribly, against your will, you are not responsible and you must not feel guilty. You may be left scarred by abuse, but those scars need not be permanent. In the eternal plan, in the Lord’s timetable, those injuries can be made right as you do your part. Here is what you can do now.
Seek Help
If you are now or have in the past been abused, seek help now. Perhaps you distrust others and feel that there is no reliable help anywhere. Begin with your Eternal Father and his beloved Son, your Savior. Strive to comprehend their commandments and follow them. They will lead you to others who will strengthen and encourage you. There is available to you a priesthood leader, normally a bishop, at times a member of the stake presidency. They can build a bridge to greater understanding and healing. Joseph Smith taught: “A man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way; and the Priesthood is for that purpose.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 364.)
Talk to your bishop in confidence. His calling allows him to act as an instrument of the Lord in your behalf. He can provide a doctrinal foundation to guide you to recovery. An understanding and application of eternal law will provide the healing you require. He has the right to be inspired of the Lord in your behalf. He can use the priesthood to bless you.
Your bishop can help you identify trustworthy friends to support you. He will help you regain self-confidence and self-esteem to begin the process of renewal. When abuse is extreme, he can help you identify appropriate protection and professional treatment consistent with the teachings of the Savior.
Principles of Healing
These are some of the principles of healing you will come to understand more fully:
Recognize that you are a beloved child of your Heavenly Father. He loves you perfectly and can help you as no earthly parent, spouse, or devoted friend can. His Son gave his life so that by faith in him and obedience to his teachings you can be made whole. He is the consummate healer.
Gain trust in the love and compassion of your elder brother, Jesus Christ, by pondering the scriptures. As with the Nephites, he tells you, “I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. … I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.” (3 Ne. 17:7–8.)
Healing best begins with your sincere prayer asking your Father in Heaven for help. That use of your agency allows divine intervention. When you permit it, the love of the Savior will soften your heart, break the cycle of abuse that can transform a victim into an aggressor. Adversity, even when caused willfully by others’ unrestrained appetite, can be a source of growth when viewed from the perspective of eternal principle. (See D&C 122:7.)
The victim must do all in his or her power to stop the abuse. Most often, the victim is innocent because of being disabled by fear or the power or authority of the offender. At some point in time, however, the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse.
Your priesthood leader will help assess your responsibility so that, if needed, it can be addressed. Otherwise the seeds of guilt will remain and sprout into bitter fruit. Yet no matter what degree of responsibility, from absolutely none to increasing consent, the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ can provide a complete cure. (See D&C 138:1–4.) Forgiveness can be obtained for all involved in abuse. (See A of F 1:3.) Then comes a restoration of self-respect, self-worth, and a renewal of life.
As a victim, do not waste effort in revenge or retribution against your aggressor. Focus on your responsibility to do what is in your power to correct. Leave the handling of the offender to civil and Church authorities. Whatever they do, eventually the guilty will face the Perfect Judge.
Ultimately the unrepentant abuser will be punished by a just God. The purveyors of filth and harmful substances who knowingly incite others to acts of violence and depravation and those who promote a climate of permissiveness and corruption will be sentenced. Predators who victimize the innocent and justify their own corrupted life by enticing others to adopt their depraved ways will be held accountable. Of such the Master warned:
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:6.)
Understand that healing can take considerable time. Recovery generally comes in steps. It is accelerated when gratitude is expressed to the Lord for every degree of improvement noted.
Forgiveness
During prolonged recovery from massive surgery, a patient anticipates complete healing in patience, trusting in others’ care. He does not always understand the importance of the treatment prescribed, but his obedience speeds recovery. So it is with you struggling to heal the scars of abuse. Forgiveness, for example, can be hard to understand, even more difficult to give. Begin by withholding judgment. You don’t know what abusers may have suffered as victims when innocent. The way to repentance must be kept open for them. Leave the handling of aggressors to others. As you experience an easing of your own pain, full forgiveness will come more easily.
You cannot erase what has been done, but you can forgive. (see D&C 64:10.) Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord.
The Master counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.” (3 Ne. 12:44; italics added.)
Bitterness and hatred are harmful. They produce much that is destructive. They postpone the relief and healing you yearn for. Through rationalization and self-pity, they can transform a victim into an abuser. Let God be the judge—you cannot do it as well as he can.
To be counseled to just forget abuse is not helpful. You need to understand the principles which will bring healing. I repeat, most often that comes through an understanding priesthood leader who has inspiration and the power of the priesthood to bless you.
Caution
I caution you not to participate in two improper therapeutic practices that may cause you more harm than good. They are: Excessive probing into every minute detail of your past experiences, particularly when this involves penetrating dialogue in group discussion; and blaming the abuser for every difficulty in your life.
While some discovery is vital to the healing process, the almost morbid probing into details of past acts, long buried and mercifully forgotten, can be shattering. There is no need to pick at healing wounds to open them and cause them to fester. The Lord and his teachings can help you without destroying self-respect.
There is another danger. Detailed leading questions that probe your past may unwittingly trigger thoughts that are more imagination or fantasy than reality. They could lead to condemnation of another for acts that were not committed. While likely few in number, I know of cases where such therapy has caused great injustice to the innocent from unwittingly stimulated accusations that were later proven false. Memory, particularly adult memory of childhood experiences, is fallible. Remember, false accusation is also a sin.
Stated more simply, if someone intentionally poured a bucket of filth on your carpet, would you invite the neighbors to determine each ingredient that contributed to the ugly stain? Of course not. With the help of an expert, you would privately restore its cleanliness.
Likewise, the repair of damage inflicted by abuse should be done privately, confidentially, with a trusted priesthood leader and, where needed, the qualified professional he recommends. There must be sufficient discussion of the general nature of abuse to allow you to be given appropriate counsel and to prevent the aggressor from committing more violence. Then, with the help of the Lord, bury the past.
I humbly testify that what I have told you is true. It is based upon eternal principles I have seen the Lord use to give a fulness of life to those scarred by wicked abuse.
If you feel there is only a thin thread of hope, believe me, it is not a thread. It can be the unbreakable connecting link to the Lord which puts a life preserver around you. He will heal you as you cease to fear and place your trust in him by striving to live his teachings.
Please, don’t suffer more. Ask now for the Lord to help you. (See Morm. 9:27; Moro. 7:26, 33.)
Decide now to talk to your bishop. Don’t view all that you experience in life through lenses darkened by the scars of abuse. There is so much in life that is beautiful. Open the windows of your heart and let the love of the Savior in. And should ugly thoughts of past abuse come back, remember his love and his healing power. Your depression will be converted to peace and assurance. You will close an ugly chapter and open volumes of happiness.
What is Latter-day Saint policy concerning spouse or child abuse?
Latter-day Saints maintain that individuals who abuse their spouses, their children, or any other person violate the laws of both God and society. Abuse includes any behavior that deliberately threatens or injures another person. It may be physical, emotional, or sexual. Sexual abuse of another adult usually involves force or intimidation, while sexual abuse of a child includes any sexual behavior between the child and someone in a position of power, trust, or control. Church leaders have counseled that even subtle forms of abuse are evil, among them shouting at or demeaning family members and demanding offensive intimate relations from one's spouse. Church members guilty of abusing others are to seek counsel from their bishops and, where necessary, professional help. Church leaders may institute disciplinary procedures to help abusers repent and to protect innocent victims. All forms of abusive behavior are serious sins in direct opposition to the spirit of love and sacrifice exemplified in the life of the Savior Jesus Christ. abstracted from "Abuse, Spouse and Child," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, 4 vols. (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 1:11.
The abstracts on this site have been prepared by BYU Studies staff and interns.
Richard G. Scott, “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, 31
I speak from the depths of my heart to each one of you who have been scarred by the ugly sin of abuse, whether you are a member or nonmember of the Church. I would prefer a private setting to discuss this sensitive subject and ask that the Holy Spirit help us both that you may receive the relief of the Lord from the cruelty that has scarred your life.
Unless healed by the Lord, mental, physical, or sexual abuse can cause you serious, enduring consequences. As a victim you have experienced some of them. They include fear, depression, guilt, self-hatred, destruction of self-esteem, and alienation from normal human relationships. When aggravated by continued abuse, powerful emotions of rebellion, anger, and hatred are generated. These feelings often are focused against oneself, others, life itself, and even Heavenly Father. Frustrated efforts to fight back can degenerate into drug abuse, immorality, abandonment of home, and, tragically in extreme cases, suicide. Unless corrected, these feelings lead to despondent lives, discordant marriages, and even the transition from victim to abuser. One awful result is a deepening lack of trust in others which becomes a barrier to healing.
To be helped, you must understand some things about eternal law. Your abuse results from another’s unrighteous attack on your freedom. Since all of Father in Heaven’s children enjoy agency, there can be some who choose willfully to violate the commandments and harm you. Such acts temporarily restrict your freedom. In justice, and to compensate, the Lord has provided a way for you to overcome the destructive results of others’ acts against your will. That relief comes by applying eternal truths with priesthood assistance.
Know that the wicked choice of others cannot completely destroy your agency unless you permit it. Their acts may cause pain, anguish, even physical harm, but they cannot destroy your eternal possibilities in this brief but crucial life on earth. You must understand that you are free to determine to overcome the harmful results of abuse. Your attitude can control the change for good in your life. It allows you to have the help the Lord intends you to receive. No one can take away your ultimate opportunities when you understand and live eternal law. The laws of your Heavenly Father and the atonement of the Lord have made it possible that you will not be robbed of the opportunities which come to the children of God.
You may feel threatened by one who is in a position of power or control over you. You may feel trapped and see no escape. Please believe that your Heavenly Father does not want you to be held captive by unrighteous influence, by threats of reprisal, or by fear of repercussion to the family member who abuses you. Trust that the Lord will lead you to a solution. Ask in faith, nothing doubting. (See James 1:6; Enos 1:15; Moro. 7:26; D&C 8:10; D&C 18:18.)
I solemnly testify that when another’s acts of violence, perversion, or incest hurt you terribly, against your will, you are not responsible and you must not feel guilty. You may be left scarred by abuse, but those scars need not be permanent. In the eternal plan, in the Lord’s timetable, those injuries can be made right as you do your part. Here is what you can do now.
Seek Help
If you are now or have in the past been abused, seek help now. Perhaps you distrust others and feel that there is no reliable help anywhere. Begin with your Eternal Father and his beloved Son, your Savior. Strive to comprehend their commandments and follow them. They will lead you to others who will strengthen and encourage you. There is available to you a priesthood leader, normally a bishop, at times a member of the stake presidency. They can build a bridge to greater understanding and healing. Joseph Smith taught: “A man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way; and the Priesthood is for that purpose.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 364.)
Talk to your bishop in confidence. His calling allows him to act as an instrument of the Lord in your behalf. He can provide a doctrinal foundation to guide you to recovery. An understanding and application of eternal law will provide the healing you require. He has the right to be inspired of the Lord in your behalf. He can use the priesthood to bless you.
Your bishop can help you identify trustworthy friends to support you. He will help you regain self-confidence and self-esteem to begin the process of renewal. When abuse is extreme, he can help you identify appropriate protection and professional treatment consistent with the teachings of the Savior.
Principles of Healing
These are some of the principles of healing you will come to understand more fully:
Recognize that you are a beloved child of your Heavenly Father. He loves you perfectly and can help you as no earthly parent, spouse, or devoted friend can. His Son gave his life so that by faith in him and obedience to his teachings you can be made whole. He is the consummate healer.
Gain trust in the love and compassion of your elder brother, Jesus Christ, by pondering the scriptures. As with the Nephites, he tells you, “I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy. … I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.” (3 Ne. 17:7–8.)
Healing best begins with your sincere prayer asking your Father in Heaven for help. That use of your agency allows divine intervention. When you permit it, the love of the Savior will soften your heart, break the cycle of abuse that can transform a victim into an aggressor. Adversity, even when caused willfully by others’ unrestrained appetite, can be a source of growth when viewed from the perspective of eternal principle. (See D&C 122:7.)
The victim must do all in his or her power to stop the abuse. Most often, the victim is innocent because of being disabled by fear or the power or authority of the offender. At some point in time, however, the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse.
Your priesthood leader will help assess your responsibility so that, if needed, it can be addressed. Otherwise the seeds of guilt will remain and sprout into bitter fruit. Yet no matter what degree of responsibility, from absolutely none to increasing consent, the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ can provide a complete cure. (See D&C 138:1–4.) Forgiveness can be obtained for all involved in abuse. (See A of F 1:3.) Then comes a restoration of self-respect, self-worth, and a renewal of life.
As a victim, do not waste effort in revenge or retribution against your aggressor. Focus on your responsibility to do what is in your power to correct. Leave the handling of the offender to civil and Church authorities. Whatever they do, eventually the guilty will face the Perfect Judge.
Ultimately the unrepentant abuser will be punished by a just God. The purveyors of filth and harmful substances who knowingly incite others to acts of violence and depravation and those who promote a climate of permissiveness and corruption will be sentenced. Predators who victimize the innocent and justify their own corrupted life by enticing others to adopt their depraved ways will be held accountable. Of such the Master warned:
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:6.)
Understand that healing can take considerable time. Recovery generally comes in steps. It is accelerated when gratitude is expressed to the Lord for every degree of improvement noted.
Forgiveness
During prolonged recovery from massive surgery, a patient anticipates complete healing in patience, trusting in others’ care. He does not always understand the importance of the treatment prescribed, but his obedience speeds recovery. So it is with you struggling to heal the scars of abuse. Forgiveness, for example, can be hard to understand, even more difficult to give. Begin by withholding judgment. You don’t know what abusers may have suffered as victims when innocent. The way to repentance must be kept open for them. Leave the handling of aggressors to others. As you experience an easing of your own pain, full forgiveness will come more easily.
You cannot erase what has been done, but you can forgive. (see D&C 64:10.) Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord.
The Master counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.” (3 Ne. 12:44; italics added.)
Bitterness and hatred are harmful. They produce much that is destructive. They postpone the relief and healing you yearn for. Through rationalization and self-pity, they can transform a victim into an abuser. Let God be the judge—you cannot do it as well as he can.
To be counseled to just forget abuse is not helpful. You need to understand the principles which will bring healing. I repeat, most often that comes through an understanding priesthood leader who has inspiration and the power of the priesthood to bless you.
Caution
I caution you not to participate in two improper therapeutic practices that may cause you more harm than good. They are: Excessive probing into every minute detail of your past experiences, particularly when this involves penetrating dialogue in group discussion; and blaming the abuser for every difficulty in your life.
While some discovery is vital to the healing process, the almost morbid probing into details of past acts, long buried and mercifully forgotten, can be shattering. There is no need to pick at healing wounds to open them and cause them to fester. The Lord and his teachings can help you without destroying self-respect.
There is another danger. Detailed leading questions that probe your past may unwittingly trigger thoughts that are more imagination or fantasy than reality. They could lead to condemnation of another for acts that were not committed. While likely few in number, I know of cases where such therapy has caused great injustice to the innocent from unwittingly stimulated accusations that were later proven false. Memory, particularly adult memory of childhood experiences, is fallible. Remember, false accusation is also a sin.
Stated more simply, if someone intentionally poured a bucket of filth on your carpet, would you invite the neighbors to determine each ingredient that contributed to the ugly stain? Of course not. With the help of an expert, you would privately restore its cleanliness.
Likewise, the repair of damage inflicted by abuse should be done privately, confidentially, with a trusted priesthood leader and, where needed, the qualified professional he recommends. There must be sufficient discussion of the general nature of abuse to allow you to be given appropriate counsel and to prevent the aggressor from committing more violence. Then, with the help of the Lord, bury the past.
I humbly testify that what I have told you is true. It is based upon eternal principles I have seen the Lord use to give a fulness of life to those scarred by wicked abuse.
If you feel there is only a thin thread of hope, believe me, it is not a thread. It can be the unbreakable connecting link to the Lord which puts a life preserver around you. He will heal you as you cease to fear and place your trust in him by striving to live his teachings.
Please, don’t suffer more. Ask now for the Lord to help you. (See Morm. 9:27; Moro. 7:26, 33.)
Decide now to talk to your bishop. Don’t view all that you experience in life through lenses darkened by the scars of abuse. There is so much in life that is beautiful. Open the windows of your heart and let the love of the Savior in. And should ugly thoughts of past abuse come back, remember his love and his healing power. Your depression will be converted to peace and assurance. You will close an ugly chapter and open volumes of happiness.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Mothers Need To Know That God Loves Them
We, as God's daughters need to know that our Heavenly Father loves us. We need to know that He sees the good in us. Feeling His love encourages us to press forward, reassures us that we are His, and confirms to us that He cherishes us even when we stumble and experience temporary setbacks.[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
Bonnie D. Parkin testifies: "I know that He loves us, sisters, as does His Son, Jesus Christ. That love will never change - it is constant. You can rely on it. We can trust it. We must believe that the love of Christ will never fail us. All that we do...should reflect the love of our Saviour and the love of our Heavenly Father. This great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination!"
Do we frequently reject the Lord's love that He pours out upon us in much more abundance than we are willing to receive? Do we think that we need to be perfect in order to deserve His love? When we allow ourselves to feel "encircled about eternally in the arms of His love", we feel safe, and we realize that we don't need to be immediately perfect. We must acknowledge that perfection is a process..[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
I know there may be some who have a difficult time imagining what His love feels like. Think of a mother with her newborn baby. The warmth, safety, cherishing, and peace of a mother's embrace can help us understand what it feels like to be encircled in the arms of His love.[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
A young adult Relief Society sister wrote, " Only in the love of my mother do I come close to understanding the magnitude and power of the love of the Savior."
Mothers, can you see how essential you are in teaching this truth to your children? As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
President Gorden B. Hinckley urges us to "love the Lord [our] God, and love His Son, and be ever grateful for Their love for us. Whenever other love fades, there will be that shining, transcendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life for us.
A mother who knows her relationship with God helps her children to know Him and to be encircled by His love. I was touched by the comments a daughter shared at the funeral of her 100-year-old mother: "When I was a teenager trying to plan my class schedule, I would come into the kitchen where Mother was ironing. I would present possible options for my studies...She would listen to all of them. We would discuss the possibilities...and then she would say, 'OK, Cathy, have you prayed about it?' That was kind of embarrassing to me, and i would hesitate and then add, 'Do you have to pray about everything?' She answered simply, 'I do'. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
This mother listened. She shared her faith in the Lord; she set an example; she shared her expectations for her daughter to return continually to the Lord. As we approach the Lord, we feel His love draw us closer. Mothers, teach your children to always include the Lord in their lives, and help them to recognize His loving influence..[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
The greatest evidence of our Savior's love for us is His Atonement. His love overflows with grace, patience, long-suffering, mercy, and forgiveness. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
We must not allow pride or vanity, selfishness or personal agendas to displace our reaching out to others in love. Quite simply and profoundly, we must first allow ourselves to be encircled by God's love. We do this best by embracing the Savior's eternal Atonement. Then we can expand that circle to include our family and all others. Such a circle is indeed heaven. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
Bonnie D. Parkin testifies: "I know that He loves us, sisters, as does His Son, Jesus Christ. That love will never change - it is constant. You can rely on it. We can trust it. We must believe that the love of Christ will never fail us. All that we do...should reflect the love of our Saviour and the love of our Heavenly Father. This great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination!"
Do we frequently reject the Lord's love that He pours out upon us in much more abundance than we are willing to receive? Do we think that we need to be perfect in order to deserve His love? When we allow ourselves to feel "encircled about eternally in the arms of His love", we feel safe, and we realize that we don't need to be immediately perfect. We must acknowledge that perfection is a process..[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
I know there may be some who have a difficult time imagining what His love feels like. Think of a mother with her newborn baby. The warmth, safety, cherishing, and peace of a mother's embrace can help us understand what it feels like to be encircled in the arms of His love.[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
A young adult Relief Society sister wrote, " Only in the love of my mother do I come close to understanding the magnitude and power of the love of the Savior."
Mothers, can you see how essential you are in teaching this truth to your children? As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
President Gorden B. Hinckley urges us to "love the Lord [our] God, and love His Son, and be ever grateful for Their love for us. Whenever other love fades, there will be that shining, transcendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life for us.
A mother who knows her relationship with God helps her children to know Him and to be encircled by His love. I was touched by the comments a daughter shared at the funeral of her 100-year-old mother: "When I was a teenager trying to plan my class schedule, I would come into the kitchen where Mother was ironing. I would present possible options for my studies...She would listen to all of them. We would discuss the possibilities...and then she would say, 'OK, Cathy, have you prayed about it?' That was kind of embarrassing to me, and i would hesitate and then add, 'Do you have to pray about everything?' She answered simply, 'I do'. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
This mother listened. She shared her faith in the Lord; she set an example; she shared her expectations for her daughter to return continually to the Lord. As we approach the Lord, we feel His love draw us closer. Mothers, teach your children to always include the Lord in their lives, and help them to recognize His loving influence..[Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
The greatest evidence of our Savior's love for us is His Atonement. His love overflows with grace, patience, long-suffering, mercy, and forgiveness. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
We must not allow pride or vanity, selfishness or personal agendas to displace our reaching out to others in love. Quite simply and profoundly, we must first allow ourselves to be encircled by God's love. We do this best by embracing the Savior's eternal Atonement. Then we can expand that circle to include our family and all others. Such a circle is indeed heaven. [Bonnie D. Parkin, September 23 2006- General Relief Society Meeting]
Friday, February 1, 2008
Why I Am Happily Married
It might seem arrogant for me to say that I am happily married, since I have only been married for a short while and have not suffered many sorrowful or disappointing experiences with my husband as yet, but this article is not completely about us as such, but the ideal marriage and what we are striving for.
Firstly, I would like to start out with how I found the most suitable partner for myself. I prayed, a lot, for many years. I thought I would be married by the age of twenty, but God decided to push my faith in finding the right husband for another seven years, before I met him. I believe there is a price to pay in finding the right man, be it many years of loneliness, a lot of challenging life experiences and certainly faith and patience.
It also takes preparing one self to meet the right man. Spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically etc. Not that I was in the best shape when I met my husband, but I believe that God takes everything into account, like the desires of your heart and all the efforts you have put in before. I did not pursue men, I believe a woman should know her place and let the man be the hunter. So, waiting I did, and it was definitely worth it.
Now, how did I know he was the perfect partner for me. I will tell you, that it was not love at first sight, but the way I felt when I was around him. I felt a strong sense of peace and calmness. I also had no doubts that he was perfect for me. As in No Doubts. I knew that if he would ask me to marry him, I would not have to think twice. He had a good job, we had the same religion, our backgrounds were very similar and we had the same goals in life. I did not have any reason to want to change him. In fact, I accepted him just as he was, whether he was overweight or not, to me he was perfect. And he felt the same way about me.
We have now been married for one year. You might laugh and think, that is nothing, and I agree, but I also know that many of my friends have married and got divorced within the first three years of their marriage. But I know, without a doubt, that our marriage will last a very long time. Not because I am ignorant or blinded by love, but because we share everything, we sacrifice of ourselves and we sometimes reduce our own personal liberties.
The mere performance of a ceremony does not bring happiness and a successful marriage. Happiness does not come by pressing a button, happiness is a state of mind and comes from within. It must be earned. It cannot be purchased with money, it cannot be taken for nothing.
Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills, but true marriage is based on happiness which is more than that, one which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing and selflessness. A happy marriage means 100% devotion from both husband and wife. [Extracted from Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Spencer W. Kimball]
Elder Spencer W. Kimball expressed that sweethearts should realize before they take vows that each must accept literally and fully that the good of the little new family must always be superior to the good of either spouse. Each party must eliminate the "I" and the "my" and substitute..."we" and "our". Every decision must take into consideration that there are two or more affected by it. As she approaches major decisions now, the wife will be concerned as to the effect they will have upon the parents, the children, the home, and their spiritual lives. The husband's choice of occupation, his social life, his friends, his every interest must now be considered in the light that he is only a part of a family, that the totalness of the group must be considered...
For two people to work out their marriage together, they need a carefully worked out budget, made by both husband and wife, and then careful adherence to the same. Many marriages are defeated in the marketplace when unscheduled purchases are made. Remember that marriage is a partnership and is not likely to be successful otherwise.
A marriage may not always be even and incidentless, but it can be one of great peace. A couple may have poverty, illness, disappointment, failures, and even death in the family, but even these will not rob them of their peace. The marriage can be a successful one so long as selfishness does not enter in. Troubles and problems will draw parents together into unbreakable unions if there is total unselfishness there...
Certainly the the foods most vital for love are consideration, kindness, thoughfulness, concern, expressions of affection, embraces of appreciation, admiration, pride, companionship, confidence, faith, partnership, equality, and interdependence.
To be really happy in marriage, one must have a continued faithful observance of the commandments of the Lord. No one, single or married, was ever sublimely happy unless he was righteous. There are temporary satisfactions and camouflaged situations for the moment, but permanent, total happiness can come only through cleanliness and worthiness...
If two people love the Lord more than their own lives and then love each other more than their own lives, working together in total harmony with the gospel program as their basic structure, they are sure to have this great happiness.
There is one other very important aspect I would also like to mention.
There are those married people who permit their eyes to wander and their hearts to become vagrant, who think it is not improper to flirt a little, to share their hearts and have desire for someone other than the wife or the husband. The Lord says in no uncertain terms:"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else."(Doctrine and Covenants 42:22)
The words none else eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then becomes preeminent in the life of the husband or wife, and neither social life nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse.
Frequently, people continue to cleave unto their mothers and their fathers and their chums.
Sometimes mothers will not relinquish the hold they have had upon their children, and husbands as well as wives return to their mothers and fathers to obtain advice and counsel and to confide, whereas cleaving should be to the wife in most things, and all intimacies should be kept in great secrecy and privacy from others. Marriage presupposes total allegiance and total fidelity. Each spouse takes the partner with the understanding that he or she gives totally to the spouse all the heart, strength, loyalty, honor, and affection, with all dignity. [Extracted from The Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Spencer W. Kimball]
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Firstly, I would like to start out with how I found the most suitable partner for myself. I prayed, a lot, for many years. I thought I would be married by the age of twenty, but God decided to push my faith in finding the right husband for another seven years, before I met him. I believe there is a price to pay in finding the right man, be it many years of loneliness, a lot of challenging life experiences and certainly faith and patience.
It also takes preparing one self to meet the right man. Spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically etc. Not that I was in the best shape when I met my husband, but I believe that God takes everything into account, like the desires of your heart and all the efforts you have put in before. I did not pursue men, I believe a woman should know her place and let the man be the hunter. So, waiting I did, and it was definitely worth it.
Now, how did I know he was the perfect partner for me. I will tell you, that it was not love at first sight, but the way I felt when I was around him. I felt a strong sense of peace and calmness. I also had no doubts that he was perfect for me. As in No Doubts. I knew that if he would ask me to marry him, I would not have to think twice. He had a good job, we had the same religion, our backgrounds were very similar and we had the same goals in life. I did not have any reason to want to change him. In fact, I accepted him just as he was, whether he was overweight or not, to me he was perfect. And he felt the same way about me.
We have now been married for one year. You might laugh and think, that is nothing, and I agree, but I also know that many of my friends have married and got divorced within the first three years of their marriage. But I know, without a doubt, that our marriage will last a very long time. Not because I am ignorant or blinded by love, but because we share everything, we sacrifice of ourselves and we sometimes reduce our own personal liberties.
The mere performance of a ceremony does not bring happiness and a successful marriage. Happiness does not come by pressing a button, happiness is a state of mind and comes from within. It must be earned. It cannot be purchased with money, it cannot be taken for nothing.
Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills, but true marriage is based on happiness which is more than that, one which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing and selflessness. A happy marriage means 100% devotion from both husband and wife. [Extracted from Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Spencer W. Kimball]
Elder Spencer W. Kimball expressed that sweethearts should realize before they take vows that each must accept literally and fully that the good of the little new family must always be superior to the good of either spouse. Each party must eliminate the "I" and the "my" and substitute..."we" and "our". Every decision must take into consideration that there are two or more affected by it. As she approaches major decisions now, the wife will be concerned as to the effect they will have upon the parents, the children, the home, and their spiritual lives. The husband's choice of occupation, his social life, his friends, his every interest must now be considered in the light that he is only a part of a family, that the totalness of the group must be considered...
For two people to work out their marriage together, they need a carefully worked out budget, made by both husband and wife, and then careful adherence to the same. Many marriages are defeated in the marketplace when unscheduled purchases are made. Remember that marriage is a partnership and is not likely to be successful otherwise.
A marriage may not always be even and incidentless, but it can be one of great peace. A couple may have poverty, illness, disappointment, failures, and even death in the family, but even these will not rob them of their peace. The marriage can be a successful one so long as selfishness does not enter in. Troubles and problems will draw parents together into unbreakable unions if there is total unselfishness there...
Certainly the the foods most vital for love are consideration, kindness, thoughfulness, concern, expressions of affection, embraces of appreciation, admiration, pride, companionship, confidence, faith, partnership, equality, and interdependence.
To be really happy in marriage, one must have a continued faithful observance of the commandments of the Lord. No one, single or married, was ever sublimely happy unless he was righteous. There are temporary satisfactions and camouflaged situations for the moment, but permanent, total happiness can come only through cleanliness and worthiness...
If two people love the Lord more than their own lives and then love each other more than their own lives, working together in total harmony with the gospel program as their basic structure, they are sure to have this great happiness.
There is one other very important aspect I would also like to mention.
There are those married people who permit their eyes to wander and their hearts to become vagrant, who think it is not improper to flirt a little, to share their hearts and have desire for someone other than the wife or the husband. The Lord says in no uncertain terms:"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else."(Doctrine and Covenants 42:22)
The words none else eliminate everyone and everything. The spouse then becomes preeminent in the life of the husband or wife, and neither social life nor occupational life nor political life nor any other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take precedence over the companion spouse.
Frequently, people continue to cleave unto their mothers and their fathers and their chums.
Sometimes mothers will not relinquish the hold they have had upon their children, and husbands as well as wives return to their mothers and fathers to obtain advice and counsel and to confide, whereas cleaving should be to the wife in most things, and all intimacies should be kept in great secrecy and privacy from others. Marriage presupposes total allegiance and total fidelity. Each spouse takes the partner with the understanding that he or she gives totally to the spouse all the heart, strength, loyalty, honor, and affection, with all dignity. [Extracted from The Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Spencer W. Kimball]
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
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